About Renaissance Fund Nfp
The Renaissance Fund NFP concentrates its philanthropy on Greek Orthodox institutional life in the Chicago area, prioritizing youth and campus ministry as well as retreat and leadership formation. Its grants are mission-focused rather than broad-based, supporting religious programming, ministry infrastructure, and challenge grants that leverage additional charitable giving. The foundation appears closely tied to the Metropolis and related Orthodox organizations and funds a small number of high-impact recipients rather than many charities.
Focus Areas
Greek Orthodox Metropolis-level youth ministry and parish support (Chicago)Orthodox Christian campus ministry and student fellowship programsRetreat center operations and leadership/formation programsChallenge grants and capacity-building for Orthodox charitable initiatives
Who They Fund
seminariansclergycollege and university students (campus ministry participants)youth/camp program participantsparishes/diocesan ministries and ministry houses (e.g., NIKA House)
About Renaissance Fund Nfp
A defining feature of The Renaissance Fund NFP is its sustained support for Greek Orthodox institutional life, especially youth ministry, campus ministry, and formation programs. Recent grants show a funder that works through a small set of recurring Orthodox organizations and ministries, including a $160,000 challenge grant to St Iakovos Retreat Center for year 3 of a charitable vision campaign and repeated support for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago in Lombard, IL. The foundation’s grantmaking also reaches students and housing-connected ministry needs, with awards tied to campus fellowships, seminary education, and ministry-related housing. Its recent record includes both larger operating-style awards and smaller scholarships and donations, suggesting a mix of institutional support and direct assistance to individuals. The Renaissance Fund NFP’s portfolio is national in scope, but the names and purposes of the grants point to a consistent emphasis on Greek heritage and Eastern Orthodox Church communities in the United States. The foundation also funds challenge and matching grants, indicating a preference for gifts that can be paired with additional charitable support.
What Renaissance Fund Nfp Funds
Youth and retreat programming are central to the foundation’s work. It gave $50,000 to Camp Nazareth in Mercer, PA for youth camper programs and $160,000 to St Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, WI for a creating charitable vision challenge grant. Campus ministry is another clear priority: Orthodox Christian Alumni in Action in Urbana, IL received $75,000 for a campus ministry grant and $50,000 for campus ministry planning. Education support appears in several forms. Christ the Savior Seminary in Johnstown, PA received $50,000 for education ministry support, while Rise on Chauncey Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN received scholarship-for-housing awards of $12,264 and $11,216. The foundation also funds Greek Orthodox parish and diocesan needs, including a $67,184 matching donation to St Michael’s Orthodox Church in Niles, IL for maintenance and a $15,000 grant to St Philotheas Greek Orth Church in Watkinsville, GA for a Liturgical Arts Academy grant.
How Renaissance Fund Nfp Gives
Typical awards cluster tightly at the low end, with p25 and median both at $2,500 and p75 at $12,625. That spread sits alongside a smaller set of much larger grants, including six-figure awards and repeated five-figure support for affiliated Orthodox institutions. The pattern suggests a mix of many small donations and a smaller number of larger operating or project grants. The foundation also uses matching and challenge grants, which points to a leverage-oriented approach. It gives both one-time support and multi-year awards: the 2026 Charitable Grant Program is described as multi-year, and the fellowship program may run for a single year or multiple years. It also funds individuals through scholarships and fellowships, alongside grants to §501(c)(3) organizations.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$669K
Total Assets
$2.6M
Total Revenue
$210K
Total Expenses
$1.1M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $3K and $13K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$13K
Geographic Reach
National21 states funded
About 19% of grants go to recipients in PA.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Unlock Deep Analysis
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeSee Similar Funders
Free Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeExplore related grant guides
Want a Personalized Pitch for Renaissance Fund Nfp?
Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Free plan available
No contracts
Cancel anytime